Fragrance in Freiburg

A Project of the Anglican Church Freiburg

The little you do to the least of these, you do it unto me.

Matthew 25:40-45

On Being the Church Today

Fragrance in Freiburg evolved from our community’s desire to reach out to refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and those struggling in a new context. While not duplicating existing efforts, we aim to transform our community into a more welcoming, caring, and compassionate space, radiating God’s grace. This project is supported by the Welcome Grant Program of the Episcopal Church.

The Goals

Community Engagement: Make ACF a more sensitive, active, and engaging community, particularly caring for people in the margins, including refugees and asylum seekers.
Youth Involvement: Engage the youth of ACF in reaching out to their peers from marginalized backgrounds in Freiburg.
Meaningful Programs: Organize programs to help marginalized communities address key challenges and integrate better.
Academic Studies: Conduct studies on the needs and aspirations of diaspora communities, focusing on those unable to worship and live in their heart languages.
Material Assistance: Provide material support to people in need, especially from marginalized communities.

Read more about the project here in the June 2024 Chaplain’s Letter and get in touch here if you have any questions or would like to get involved.

The Five Streams and Programs

Stream 1: Hospitality

Focus: Welcoming and inviting strangers and those marginalized into our culture of hospitality through events like breakfast gatherings, dinners, home groups, and youth events.

Breakfast Gatherings: Invite people from the peripheries to sessions.
Mother’s Cake and Coffee: Provide a safe space for struggling women.
Wine and Cheese Evenings: Include the elderly from marginalized communities.
Sharing Dining Tables: Encourage families to open their homes to strangers.
Open Home Groups: Special sessions for inviting new people.
Shared Meal Opportunities: Welcome people from the peripheries.
Youth Evenings: Organize hospitality events for youth and young adults.
Aim: Organize ten hospitality events during the first phase of the project.

Stream 2: Creativity

Focus: Equip children, youth, and young adults to offer creative and recreational opportunities for their peers, allowing them to relax and enjoy life amidst turbulence.

Chill Out Evenings: Guided de-stressing sessions.
Creative Activities: Singing, dancing, camping, playing, and traveling together.
Creative Evenings: Painting, story writing, poetry, and photography.
Publishing Creativity: Promote young voices and talents.
Sports and Games: Encourage physical activities.
Digital Creativity: Explore digital creative possibilities.
Cultural Tours: Guided tours to museums and events.
Aim: Organize eight events for young people during the program phase.

Stream 3: Counselling and Practical Guidance for Integration

Focus: Utilize the expertise within ACF to offer counselling and guidance on crucial topics for marginalized communities, in collaboration with other organizations.

Educational Talks: Relaxed evening sessions on key themes such as education, job market, tax planning, learning German, housing, culture, insurance, and health care.

Stream 4: Academic

Focus: Leverage ACF’s academic strengths to initiate studies and research on the needs of people in the peripheries and propose long-term solutions.

Research: Study various aspects of the life of refugees and migrants.
Strategic Planning: Develop long-term plans for migration issues.
Spiritual Studies: Research the spirituality of diaspora communities.
Publications: Produce research papers, posters, and publicity materials advocating justice.

Stream 5: Acts of Kindness

Focus: Provide material support to people in need, focusing on essential needs like food, water, clothing, shelter, and companionship.

Community Engagement: Encourage community ownership and participation.
Youth Involvement: Engage young people to lead initiatives.
Neighbour Collaboration: Partner with local organizations and churches.
Ecumenical Strategy: Formulate a long-term ecumenical strategy for engagement.
Aim: Engage the community and collaborate with partners to sustain initiatives.

Sustainability Plan

The best part of this plan is that we can keep it going without outside help. In the long run, ACF can support itself and use extra resources to keep these events alive. Plus, we might find other funding sources to grow these projects.